McIntosh MCD12000 vs. Luxman D-10X vs. Technics SL-G700M2

@goose you mistaken the post from @jymc above as my post. I never have a chance to hear any Esoteric equipment in the past. So I cannot comment on Esoteric.

@jymc may I know what feature/function of the Mark Levinson 519 as a streamer that you like? I might be looking for a higher-end streamer in the next 6 months or so. Currently the Nagra streamer is one of my target, but I don’t like the fact, the Nagra only offer Coaxial output (for connection to non-Nagra DAC). I wish Nagra has at least a USB digital output.

For DAC, I think I am set for the next decade with the DAC inside the MCD-12000. You should try to listen to the MCD12000 at a McIntosh dealer and compare it to your Mark Levinson (by bringing your Mark Levinson to the McIntosh dealer) for a direct comparison. It might not be as accurate as doing it in your home, but you can at least confirm whether the MCD12000 tube output will help with the "forward" high frequency attenuation.

@bmwalpina I am surprised that you find the new XD Esoterics "aggressively detailed" in the upper frequencies.  This has not been my experience with my K-03XD.  They have an r-2r topology in their new series of players which to my ears has fixed any of the previous models etched flavor.

@bmwalpina

I saw your Jan 2025 comment regarding your MCD12000 purchase.  Congratulations sir.  I have not yet made a decision to take the leap from my Mark Levinson 519 CD/DAC/Streamer.  Frankly, I've not heard a more musical SACD unit than the MCD 12000, and since my system can be a bit "forward" in the higher frequencies on certain recordings (perhaps due to the Levinson DAC), the tube section of the MCD 12000 may be exactly what I need.  I've listened extensively to dCS, Esoteric, etc and all of these present the upper frequency detail in a manner that is "aggressively detailed" to my ears.  

It is my general experience that Mc products/systems can 'take the edge off' (in a good way), when excessive detail affects the playback undesirably.  Unfortunately, however, there is no way to audition the 12000 in my home system before making the purchase - hence, I wait for a sign that the 12000 will be the solution that gets me to the finish line.  If I make this move to the Mc, I will likely relegate my Levinson 519 to function only as a streamer for which it is very capable.  Happy listening.

Update, I purchased the Technics SL-G700M2 and had been using it for the past10 months with my McIntosh MA12000 Integrated Amp. When using the Technics as a streamer, I used optical out into the DA-2 DAC in the MA12000 because the McIntosh MA12000 built in DA-2 DAC sounds better than the DAC in the Technics.

I also use XLR balance connection from the Technics to the MA12000 when I am playing SACD.

However, I cannot avoid the temptation to own a matching 75th anniversary edition of the MCD12000 McIntosh SACD/Reference DAC and MA12000 integrated amp.

So I ordered the MCD12000 75th Anniversary Edition last week. McIntosh happened to have 1 last 75th Anniversary Edition MCD12000 and quickly ship it to my dealer which I picked up today.

I wasn't expecting much improvement, but to my surprise, the Reference DAC in the MCD12000 sounds so much better than the DAC-2 in the MA12000 and for sure much better than the DAC inside the Technics.

It really was not comparable. The Bass especially ... I don't know I was missing so much bass when using the DAC-2 or the DAC in the Technics.

I am so glad that I bought the MCD12000, now the Technics SL-G700M2 will purely function as a streamer.

You probably will land a fine sounding piece regardless of your choice, but the Tecnics makes even more sense after the issues that you raised 

Thank you for the information @mahler123 , really appreciate your insight.

@twoleftears , I am only interested in the top of the line model for the SACD player, from either Luxman, McIntosh or Technics. The Luxman D-10X cost is still manageable.

The Technics because I also owned and happy with the ST-G30 music server, plus The SL-G700M2 also accept streaming services.

The McIntosh because I can order a matching 75th anniversary edition of MCD12000 to match my MA12000 75th anniversary edition integrated amp, and on paper, the MCD12000 seemed to have the most capable DAC courtesy of their dual ESS SABRE ES9038PRO DAC. However, I read many technical issues, when they were just launch this model. I hope it’s already fixed but still concerning.

The Luxman D-10X because the glowing review of happy owners, and the build quality seemed super high, with gorgeous aesthetics. However, it had been more than 4 years since it was launch so I worry, newer model will be release by Luxman soon.

I am trying to gather all the information in relation to sound before my decision due end of this week, but right now I am still leaning towards the Technics.

Just curious, but is there a reason you're not considering the other Luxman players, the 07x and the 03x, a bit closer in price point to the Technics?

I have actually heard all 3 players, all at shows or in a dealer showroom.  The problem is that these auditions were all separated by significant lengths of time and different listening environments, differing partnering components, etc.  So with that in mind, my favorite was the Technics.  The Mac had a big sound but kind of diffuse placement of instruments (this perhaps was influenced by the Sonys Farber pairing speakers).  The Technics had more etched sound, where I felt I could place the instruments in space.  The Lux was somewhere in between and sounded a bit tubey. 
  I didn’t buy any, as my lust for a new SACD player abated, but the Technics is the best value of those 3.